The U.S. Conference of Mayors
76th Annual Meeting
June 20-24, 2008
Miami

2008 ADOPTED RESOLUTIONS

AMERICA’S ROAD HOME STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND ACTIONS

WHEREAS, America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions was developed by mayors and other elected officials in partnership with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness at a Summit in Denver; and

WHEREAS, more than 335 Mayors, County Executives and other elected officials are signatories to America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions; and

WHEREAS, America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions recognizes more than two million Americans across our country each year experience homelessness in our local communities, compromising the quality of life of the person, and the community; and

WHEREAS, America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions recognizes as that elected mayors and county officials, we are on the frontlines of homelessness and accountable to our communities for the well-being of all citizens; and

WHEREAS, America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions recognizes that no single level of government can remedy homelessness alone; and

WHEREAS, America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions affirms that we will work together with our partners in state and federal government as well as in the foundation philanthropic community and private sector to maintain and enhance the sustainable investment of resources needed to respond; and

WHEREAS, America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions recognizes we have taken action to create jurisdictionally-led, community-based 10 Year Plans to end chronic homelessness in our communities in partnership with the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), the U.S. Conference of Mayors(USCM), and the National Association of Counties (NACo) to end the disgrace; and

WHEREAS, America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions encourages mayors to work together in this national partnership of every level of government and the private sector, with our fellow cities and counties and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness to identify, adopt, and create innovations to prevent and end homelessness; and

WHEREAS, These principles include:

1) End the homelessness of our most vulnerable and disabled citizens who reside on our streets and in our shelters, those experiencing chronic homelessness, especially including homeless veterans;

2) With the support of our partners work to shorten the time any person is homeless;

3) Accept jurisdictional responsibility for accountability and results in the broader partnership that includes other levels of government and the private sector for an issue that is visible, expensive, and unacceptable in our communities:

4) Affirm our jurisdictionally-led, community-based 10 Year Plans as the community’s primary planning strategy to effect accountability and results in ending and preventing homelessness, and

5) Develop these plans to ensure that the measurable outcomes are sustainable and render lasting solutions to homelessness,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors endorses America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions and encourages Mayors to become signatories of to America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages mayors to implement America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions in their communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors advances the America’s Road Home Statement of Principles and Actions to both candidates for president to create a sustainable approach that achieves results in the lives of our poorest neighbors.